Amber pulled on her coat and grabbed her keys, opening the door. Eric went ahead, either not comfortable with her or still needing space. From the way he'd spaced out in the kitchen and now huddled into himself as if he'd gone off into his own little world, either reliving guilt and painful memories or trying to get her away from the subject as far as possible, it didn't really seem Eric wanted her around. He hadn't even replied to her quip about kicking his ass.

His 'thanks' passed her right by; all she heard was what next. Frustration tugged at Amber, knotting up her stomach. So he really was going to exclude her, take her to the gym and dump her in some corner where he didn't have to see or hear her. Shut her out like he had everything else. What the fuck was she here for? "If you want to go alone, go," she said. Amber was so tired of holding back her thoughts, tip-toeing lest too great a provocation sent him running. Well, he was practically at the dash line, ready to sprint, and it wasn't as if keeping silent had stopped the fighting. "You keep forgetting, I'm not forcing you into anything." The lesson had long since been learned: she couldn't make Eric do her bidding.

She skidded down the steps, not entirely sure why she was still going forward, as if she hadn't just called into question whether or not she should go with him.